No.2915.05.06

What Do Quakers Believe?

(A proposed statement of collectively held, core beliefs of unprogrammed Quakermeetings in the United States)

Quakers believe that there is a living, dynamic spiritualpresence at work in the world which is both within us andoutside of us.

Those among us are comfortable with different names for this spiritual presence. Among themare: God, Creator, Christ, Spirit, the Light, Divine Presence, Love, Truth. Throughout thisstatement of Quaker beliefs, the name "God" is used to include all manifestations of this living,dynamic spiritual presence.

Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone.

We often refer to that of God in everyone as "the Light Within." It is a belief that each person isendowed with a measure of the Divine Essence, an Inward Presence which is the spiritual core ofeach person's being. We sometimes refer to the Light Within as the Inward Presence, the InwardChrist, the Inward Teacher, the Seed.

Quakers believe that each person is capable of the direct andunmediated experience of God.

Our belief leads us into a form of worship that does not rely on clergy, liturgy or creed. We oftencall our worship "waiting worship." We gather in the quiet to listen for the "still small voice of God"stirring within us and speaking to us.

Quakers believe that our understanding and experience ofGod is nurtured and enlarged in community.

When we come together in community, each of us brings our own unique manifestation andexperience of God. The diversity among us helps us to know God more fully.

Quakers believe that the revelation of God's Truth iscontinuing and ongoing.

We are clear that the Bible is not the final revelation of God's nature and will. We believe that Godhas continued to reveal God's Truth to humankind down through history and to the present day.When they are spiritually grounded and tested within the community, we welcome newunderstandings of God's Truth.

Quakers believe that the Bible is an important spiritualresource and that the life and teachings of Jesus are relevantfor us today.

For many of us, the Bible is an inspired record of the workings of God in the world, one thathelps to illuminate the nature of God. Friends have the experience that knowledge of the Bibledeepens the spiritual power of both spoken ministry and inward listening. In a time of despair,George Fox, a founder of Quakerism, heard a voice that said, "There is one, even Christ Jesus,that can speak to thy condition." For many Friends throughout our history, and today, thereis a continuing sense of the presence of this power, however it may be named.

Quakers believe in welcoming spiritual truth regardless of itssource.

Many among us have been inspired by spiritual Truth found outside of Quakerism. We havefound that our experience of Oneness in the Spirit is enriched when spiritual Truth from other faithtraditions is shared in our worship and community life.

Quakers believe that our inward experience of God transformsus and leads us into outward expressions of faithful living,witness and action.

Individually and collectively, we witness to our understanding of God's Truth in the wayswe live and act in the world. Our witness is often expressed in testimonies which havechanged over time. Today, many of us would affirm testimonies of Simplicity, Peace,Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship.

Quakers believe that modeling God's presence in our lives ismore important than espousing beliefs.

We believe in the power of letting our lives, not merely our words, speak. We aspire to be livingexamples of God's Truth in the world.

May 6, 2015Arthur M. Larrabeearthurmlarrabee@gmail.com

Key Concepts in Quaker Decision-makingA "Sense of the Meeting Process"

l isa non-voting process, but not consensus

2. Uses the movement and direction of the energy in the group as thebasis for coming to decisions

3. Seeks a "sense of the meeting;" it asks "How are we led"

4. Seeks unity about a proposed sense of the meeting to identify adecision

5. Trusts that the wisdom of the group is greater than the wisdom of anyindividual

6. Supports the community by doing the work of community before thedecision is made and not after; the experience has been that the timeand patience required is worth it

7. Values listening and cooperation; is non-adversarial

8. Invites us to share our individual perspectives but then to separatepersonal preferences from what may be different right outcomes for thewhole group

9. Requires releasing after speaking

10. Works best when there is a climate of safety and all are given anopportunity to be heard and feel safe is so doing.

Arthur M. Larrabeearthurmlarrabee@qmail.comMay?, 2015